A PLANNING application for a static caravan park in Roos will go before East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Eastern Area Planning SubCommittee next Monday, June 8.

The application has been strongly objected to by people in the village with almost 200 signatures on a petition against the development. The parish council has also objected saying: “It is an approved site for housing development not for caravans and the application for change of use would be counter to the adopted plan.”

Councillor Lyn Healing referred the application to the sub-committee to enable a full and open debate.

The proposed site of the pitches and associated development is agricultural land to the north of Eastfield House on Pilmar Lane. The number of static caravans included has been reduced from 18 to 14 during the application process. They range from two to three bedrooms and would be for permanent residential occupation all year round as opposed to holiday homes. The associated operational development includes construction of verandas, an access road, parking and water drainage infrastructure.

The site is formally allocated for residential development and most of the application site lies within the development limits of Roos. Outline planning permission was previously granted in 2014 for 11 dwellings although indicative capacity of the allocation is 17 dwellings. The committee report says a contribution towards offsite affordable housing must be provided as part of the proposals, as well as provision of amenity green space on site.

Contributions towards off-site equipped or recreation play areas and outdoor sports facilities would also be required. The payments towards affordable housing and off-site play areas are stated in a Section 106 Agreement (S106). The application is recommended for deferral for the completion of this S106 agreement but then recommended to be approved with conditions.

Roos Parish Council has strongly objected to the development saying: “The application for change of use would be counter to the adopted plan and would be seen as a breach of trust in ERYC policies and community consultation.” They also argue: “A caravan site would not achieve ‘high quality design’ or ‘contributes to the sense of place’ contrary to planning policies. Despite the contribution from the S106 for affordable housing the parish council also point out that the site was previously allocated for affordable housing.

They conclude: “If approved, the outcome will cause serious harm to the settlement and its residents.”

61 objections and representations have been received for the application as well as the petition signed by just under 200 people against the proposed development.

Concerns raised include complaints about the timing of the application being progressed during the Covid-19 pandemic when people may be selfisolating and less aware of it happening. They also mention the negative visual impact on the village, not in keeping with the character of the residential area, and associated effect on neighbouring property values. They argue the application does not provide affordable housing and it will not attract younger people to the village. Another point raised is the closing of the gap between leisure users in the coastal zone and the residential village.

There have been 25 letters of support from local residents and businesses which include the additional residents supporting shops and services nearby, filling a gap in the provision of bungalow style and one storey housing in the area and the caravans being allocated as a residential park.

The planning officer concluded in the report for the committee: “It has already been granted outline planning consent for housing. The principle of residential development on this site is therefore acceptable.”

Regarding the visual impact the officer concluded: “The proposed caravans would be low level and would have less visual and amenity impact than a standard housing development.” He added the site is well screened and would make a reasonable off-site contribution to both affordable housing and recreational play space. The officer states the application is considered to comply with the relevant development plan policies and is a sustainable development meeting the aims of the National Planning Policy Framework.